Me and the Boss: A Story About Mending and Love

by Michelle Edwards Narrated by Junior Nyong'o

Overview

CORETTA SCOTT KING ILLUSTRATOR HONOR AWARD WINNER
CHARLOTTE ZOLOTOW AWARD WINNER

All the highs and lows of having a bossy, protective, and loving older sibling are depicted in this heartwarming picture book by a critically acclaimed author and award-winning illustrator. 

Meet Lee, a little boy who won't give up until he learns how to sew, and Zora, the sister who watches him try--and ultimately succeed!

"I know big sisters. Zora, the boss, she's mine," explains Lee as he and Zora head to the library, where Mrs. C is teaching the children how to sew. Though Zora sews a beautiful flower on her cloth square, little Lee makes a mess out of the half-moon he is trying to stitch. That night, when he can't sleep, he gives sewing another try...and succeeds, even mending the hole in his pants pocket! The next morning, he sneaks into Zora's room and sews the ear back on Bess, her stuffed bear. When Zora discovers Bess, she wraps Lee in her special big sister hug--for just a moment--and then is back to being the boss once again.

National Jewish Book Award-winning author Michelle Edwards and Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award-winning illustrator April Harrison create a funny, oh-so-true portrait of a brother and sister's relationship in this winning picture book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Harrison’s illustrations are the star here, in no small part because she’s a self-taught artist grounded in African American folk traditions: The pleasure of making isn’t just for the elite or highly trained." —New York Times Book Review

★ "A captivating picture book.” —Booklist, starred review

★ "A gorgeous, powerful exploration of a loving sibling relationship.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A wonderful read-aloud." —The Horn Book

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2022-10-12
A young Black boy discovers the joy of sewing on a trip to the local library with his big sister.

It’s clear why 6-year-old Lee calls his elder sister, Zora, the boss. Zora embodies confidence: She gives directions to Lee and others and enforces the rules they must both follow when out and about away from home. One day, Lee walks with Zora to a local library, where they are taught to sew. Zora takes to sewing easily, while Lee struggles to avoid pricking himself with the needle and to create what he desires. When the children return home, Zora proudly shows her creation to their parents, but Lee chooses to wait to show them his work. Later that night, awakened by a noise and unable to sleep, Lee practices sewing in the quiet of his bed and completes the craft from earlier in the day, developing a useful skill that later ushers in a tender moment between him and the boss. Appropriately reminiscent of textiles, the collage, acrylic, pen, and pencil illustrations consist of a variety of vibrant hues. The imagery offers depth, texture, and movement, complementing the vivid and engrossing text and bringing to life the strong bond between Lee and Zora. Lee’s family is Black; the other kids at the library are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Though simple, a gorgeous, powerful exploration of a loving sibling relationship. (instructions for making Lee's Smiling Moon) (Picture book. 5-8)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178111123
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	09/26/2023
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

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